Berkeley physicists build laser phase plate for cryo-electron microscopy

Physicists at UC Berkeley have developed a laser phase plate that boosts contrast in cryo-electron microscopy and tomography. The technique could let scientists image proteins one-third the size of those accessible today. Their microscope, Theia, was built with Biohub and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

• Laser phase plate raises contrast in cryo-EM and cryo-ET
• Method could image proteins one-third the current size limit
• Theia microscope adds extra electron optics for resolution
• Biohub is building a two-laser version at half power each